Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My Children Will Do it Differently

Everyday we are constantly surrounded by media. So much in fact that we hardly ever talk to people face to face anymore. I believe that this is impacting how we interact with one another and not in a good way. Whatever happened to actually meeting up with somebody and having a conversation.

Which is why when I have children they will not be exposed to all of this desensitizing social media. They will be forced to actually talk on the phone or go visit someone in person. Or, dare I say it, write a letter.

I will admit that social media is extremely convenient but does it really help us out in the relationships we have with people. Oh well, just some food for thought.

When I do have children, I plan to raise them right. I would love them to be interested in technology, but not use them as if its their life.I will keep them active and enjoy life the way I did growing up.

i find it crazy that kids in elementary have cell phones and stuff these days. i remember having a beeper in high school and how much trouble id get into lol and now a days everyoens on their phones in the middle of class texting and teachers dont care.

Meh. I'll give my kids guidance, but it's up to them how they use it. Personally, I like texting and stuff. You can have private conversations with someone instead of being on the phone, I like that. Although, I do prefer talking in person. For example, been texting a girl most of the day, after she gets back from work I go to hers and have a wee chat with her and leave. Then they next day it can be the same. It's good to keep in contact.

How old are your children, you have some already? I expect that by the time I have children it will be so difficult to remove them from social media that it will be next to impossible. But even if I could, in the future, would that be the best thing for your children? It's hard to say what kind of an impact social media has on in person social lives of school children, probably cliques and friendships will be formed purely online that determine whether children are in the popular group or not, for example. Depriving them of social media, if it was such an important aspect of that demographic, could be quite detrimental and potentially lead to children being bullied. Imagine what the other kids would say at school about why you aren't involved, and remember that kids aren't kind. Accusations of things like being too poor to afford a computer or something like that could destroy your child's confidence (remember the kids at school who didn't have quite the right uniform?).

It's funny, I've never really thought about it before but it seems like one of those issues that may not be quite as simple as it seems on the surface.